Fresh Destination: Nuremberg | Anne Nierhaus of Adidas Originals

Perhaps not the first city to come to mind when one thinks about Germany (unless one has already gone through Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich first), but Bavaria's second-largest city, Nuremberg, is one that will evoke a sense of familiarity. Or rather, notoriety, for it was the perfect stage where the Nazis staged their activities ranging from heated party rallies. And, it was where the infamous Nuremberg Laws outlawing Jewish citizenship was enacted. Post WWII, the city was chosen to hold the War Crimes Tribunal, also commonly known as the Nuremberg Trials.

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However, 20th century politics aside, Nuremberg was the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire and a beloved residence for German kings. It is also the city where the royal family stowed their crown jewels; and in the 19th century, the heart of Germany's industrial revolution. Today, Nuremberg is located in close proximity to some of the world's largest brands, including sportswear giants adidas and Puma, as well as Siemens. The vibrant city is also draws quite a crowd during summer and Christmas, as the city is famed for its spectacular Christmas market.

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After a trip to London, followed by Shanghai on the other side of the globe, we are now back in Europe with Anne Karin Nierhaus (lovingly known as AK), Trend Marketing Manager at adidas, who will be our guide for the delightful but more left of center city of Nuremberg. Perhaps, few are as qualified as AK to give a grand tour of the city, for she is a native born and raised in a small village called Wendelstein just outside of Nuremberg. Before AK started coordinating adidas Trend offices in Berlin, New York City, Tokyo and London in various cross-divisional projects that involves both Style and Performance in adidas, such as adiCup, she was quite the traveler. She worked as a nanny in the South of France and Connecticut, and jetted around Europe as a flight attendant for a year. With an eye for the hip and happening (and what's to be the next happening thing), AK will take us through three great finds for Eats, Shops and Spots, so we can experience The Berg (an affectionate moniker for Nuremberg) the way locals do.

HEYHEY is a small store located close to the city center of Nuremberg. Location aside, it's stock of adidas Y-3 sneakers and F&K (Fummel und Kram) stitched scarves demand attention like its name. Other than clothes, kicks and accessories, HEYHEY also carries Held Vodka (originally distilled and sold in small amounts from a backyard in Berlin back in the Roaring Twenties), some local t-shirt brands, and the store can be rented as an exhibition or event space. The store is definitely worth a visit in person, but for those who can't make a trip down to The Berg, HEYHEY will be debuting an exclusive sneaker online shop in mid 2011.

adidas Outlet
Olympiaring 2
91074 Herzogenaurach, Germany

Located in the home of adidas some 20 km away from Nuremberg in Herzogenaurach, this is the place to score anything you would like from the adidas family. Aside from Stella and SLVR, this is also the spot to pick up those rugy shoes, tennis socks or past season treasures that you just can't find on eBay or anywhere else. So, if you do end up here, make sure to draw up a list of the three-stripes and trefoil you have been vying for and get ready to go a-hunting.

" Even if you don't like LEGO, you end up buying something there " could be both a wonderful and a scary statement. But, the LEGO Store in Nuremberg is nonetheless, a great store because it will gratify any inner nerd and also create needs you never thought u had. The entrace starts with a gallery and ends with a " pick-a-brick wall" that has stones you will never need but are "so nice to look at ". Also, the store carries a great Star Wars Collection (" I think George gets his ideas from LEGO," AK commented), a terminal with games and a lot of gimmicks that will are great gifts " as it will make all [her] friends smile ". No worries, a LEGO obsession (no matter how long or short) doesn't make any one a nerd.

Literally meaning "Hunger and Thirst", H&D does more than quell two of the basest human needs. H&D delivers organic, locally sourced food straight to the palattes, but don't let "organic" fool you into thinking this is all about wheatgrass and heirloom tomatoes. H&D has a "strong focus on steak grilled on a lava BBQ". Don't miss out on the beef filet on rocket salad and Bistecca Fiorentina (what most of us in the English speaking world would call the "Porterhouse", but they are not exactly peas in a pod).

Since there is only one man at the helm of H&D, don't expect fast food. But, H&D definitely serves up one hell of a steak with a side of soul. It's a cozy spot with dim lights, good reds, and of course, beer. As for appetiziers, pictures of cows and meat on the wall should be an interesting visual cue to segue into the right mood for the menu, so even if you didn't come hungry, you will be.

Just like every New Yorker has his or her bagel spot, Germans have their own favorite Döner Kebap (Turkish rotating roast). For AK, Filiz is the spot to go because "it has the best sauce and other dishes are great". And the best way to enjoy Filiz? " Best thing after a drunken night out! It's open until the wee hours..."

Meaning "Time and Space", Zeit & Raum is known for their very excellent Sunday brunch. The dishes are exotic, and the Z&R folks have dubbed it "Punk Cuisine". There are so many great things about this spot, and one of them being a cozy couch to cure food coma in an instant-- one can take naps between savory dishes. After having padded the stomach with ample food, the spot also houses the Rote Bar (Red Bar) which opens around 7pm. It has the " best (and cutest)" bartenders in town, a great rotation of DJs and a lot of red lights.

If you are so lucky as to visit The Berg during the holiday season, this is the best known Christmas market in Germany and attracts tourists from all over the world every year (approximately 2 million, to a bit more precise). The Christkindlesmarket dates back to 1628, and is usually open from November 26 to December 24. When the winter is cold, this outdoor market has everything you need to keep warm like " Feuerzangenbohle " (a traditional German drink where a rum-soaked sugar loaf is lit and dripped into "Glühwein", also known as mulled wine) and "3 im Weggla", a bun with three small Nuremberg sausages.

Food aside, this is also the place to stock up on traditional kitsch for holiday decoration!

After a long night out, recover from splitting headaches (read: hangovers) by taking one of the dogs from Tierheim Nürnberg animal shelter for a walk. This is also perfect for those travelling without their pets and miss bringing a happy, lapping pup out on a walk (or those who simply can't afford to have a pet at home). The shelter also has pigs and goats, and also the more usual round up of cats and hamsters et. el. They have also recently opened up a specialized shelter for puppies. Just be warned that enough visits and walks later, you might find it difficult to part with the dog, or you might suddenly find yourself standing at home with a new puppy dashing around the pad.

Seeing how Nuremberg has been favored by German kings in history as the city of their preferred residence, it is not difficult to understand that Nuremberg provides the perfect backdrop for the Nazis to demonstrate their regime and power. Aside from the happy Christkindlesmarket, the Reichsparteitagsgelande (literally translated into Reich Party Congress Grounds) is also a sight not to be missed. It is an impressive 11 square-kilometres space which includes the Congress Hall designed by the National Socialists (another way of saying the Nazis) to host 50,000 spectators. Today, it houses the "Docu Centre", which looks at "the causes, the context and the consequences of WWII up to the Nuremberg Trials". It won the UNESCO Price for Human Rights Education. As AK puts, " [It] gives me the shivers everytime I am there ".

On a lighter note, it is located quite closely to a lake with an ample amount of "Biergarten" (Beer Garden), so many people hang out around here during the summer to just chill or play some football.